News & Events

Clothes Collection for Friends of Chernobyl’s Children

We are again supporting a local charity which offers Belarussian children whose lives have been affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster the chance to visit the UK for a few weeks each summer. These children and their families suffer badly from the effects of radiation and live in impoverished conditions. Through our regular charity activities we are able to sponsor one child’s visit to the UK each year. This year, Danik, along with ten other boys visiting Helpston this summer, will be spending a day in school with us in July so that our students will be able to meet them all personally.

If you would like to donate any good quality clothes that are suitable for girls or boys between the ages of 8 and 18 (the clothes will also be used for the siblings at home), please bring them to school on Friday, 19th June, or first thing on Monday, 22nd June. Boys can deliver clothing (in bags) directly to SF2 (Southfields) from 8 a.m. on the Friday morning.

The children need everything, except underwear, which is bought new. Winter and summer clothes, warm coats – all of these are needed. The clothing needs to be in very good condition, with zips in working order and with all buttons etc., as it is their lifeline for the year; most of the families struggle to buy clothing, so it has to be able to last.

We are also collecting toothpaste (family, not children's), toothbrushes, vitamins, football strips, toys, and vegetable seeds. Vegetable seeds should ideally be for vegetables that can be eaten raw, including cabbages, cucumbers, tomatoes, beetroot, gherkins, and carrots.

Thank you for any help you are able to give in support of this venture, which we also hope will benefit our students by giving them a greater insight into the lives of children elsewhere.